RURAL HEALTH TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM (RHTP) NAVIGATOR

BENEFITS: Includes 13 paid holidays, 10 hours per month annual leave, 10 hours per month sick leave, LAGERS retirement starting after 6 months of employment, Medical Insurance, Vision Insurance, Dental Insurance, and Life Insurance.

Status

Grant-Funded / Rural Health Transformation Program

Work Setting

Community-based position serving Randolph, Howard, and Chariton counties within the five-county Hub (Carroll, Chariton, Howard, Randolph, and Saline counties).

Travel

Frequent local and regional travel; travel is expected as part of regular duties

Schedule

Generally Monday-Friday; hours may vary based on program, outreach, and community needs

Position Summary

The RHTP Navigator is a frontline, community-based employee of the Randolph County Health Department who supports the Missouri Rural Health Transformation Program and the local Community Hub model. The Navigator helps residents successfully connect to and complete needed clinical, behavioral health, public health, and social services through screening, referral coordination, follow-up, outreach, and assistance with barriers to care.

The Navigator works collaboratively with hospitals, rural health clinics, federally qualified health centers, behavioral health providers, pharmacies, emergency medical services/community paramedicine programs, schools, local public health agencies, and community-based organizations. The position maintains an assigned caseload, supports closed-loop referrals, documents services and outcomes in approved systems, and provides frontline information that can be used to improve local referral pathways and Hub operations.

This is a non-clinical position. The Navigator does not diagnose, prescribe, or provide services requiring a professional clinical license. Urgent medical, behavioral health, or safety concerns will be referred or escalated in accordance with RCHD and Hub procedures.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct standardized intake and screening to identify health, behavioral health, social, and other service needs and document findings in the Community Information Exchange (CIE) and other RCHD- or Hub-approved systems.
• Initiate, coordinate, and manage closed-loop referrals and warm handoffs to appropriate healthcare, public health, behavioral health, and community resources.
• Confirm whether referred services were received, document outcomes, and re-engage individuals when referrals or services are not completed.
• Engage residents through telephone calls, electronic communication, field visits, community outreach, and follow-up at partner locations.
• Provide non-clinical health education, care navigation, resource information, and reinforcement of established care plans.
• Assist residents in accessing services that may include primary care, behavioral health, women’s health and prenatal care, pediatric preventive services, chronic disease services, healthy homes services, home visiting, pharmacy services, telehealth, and non-emergency medical transportation.
• Identify and help resolve barriers to care, including appointment scheduling, transportation, medication access, insurance or benefit concerns, food and nutrition needs, digital access, and other social needs.
• Maintain an assigned caseload and provide organized, timely follow-up until identified needs are resolved, services are completed, or care is appropriately transitioned.
• Document outreach attempts, screening results, referrals, referral status, service completion, outcomes, and unresolved barriers accurately and timely.
• Participate in Hub huddles, case reviews, partner meetings, and other coordination activities as assigned.
• Work with community partners to strengthen referral relationships, improve workflows, and identify gaps in available services.
• Track and report required program data, including outreach, screenings, referrals, service completion, barriers, and outcomes.
• Use re-engagement strategies and multiple methods of outreach for individuals who are difficult to reach or who do not complete referred services.
• Maintain a visible and professional presence in the community through outreach activities, community events, partner-site engagement, and other RCHD activities.
• Escalate urgent clinical, behavioral health, safety, or other significant concerns to appropriate licensed staff, the Administrator, emergency services, or other designated resources according to established procedures.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA, applicable privacy requirements, RCHD policies, and program requirements when handling protected or confidential information.
• Maintain effective working relationships with RCHD staff, Hub partners, healthcare providers, social service organizations, and community members.
• Attend required meetings, trainings, and professional development activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Administrator.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Relevant experience in community health, care coordination, case management, patient navigation, public health outreach, social services, behavioral health support, Medicaid care management, or a related field.
• Experience working directly with rural communities and/or individuals who experience barriers to healthcare and social services.
• Ability to conduct client or resident intake and needs screening and follow referrals through completion.
• Ability to manage multiple active cases, priorities, deadlines, and follow-up activities.
• Ability to accurately document and track activities using electronic systems and databases.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to establish effective, respectful relationships with residents, families, providers, coworkers, and community organizations.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel routinely within the assigned service area.
• Ability to successfully complete required background checks and other employment screenings.

RCHD will consider relevant experience, training, and demonstrated ability when evaluating applicants. Lack of post-secondary education will not, by itself, exclude an otherwise qualified applicant from consideration.

Preferred Qualifications

• Community Health Worker (CHW) training or certification, or education/training in community health, public health, social services, behavioral health, human services, or a related field.
• Experience using a Community Information Exchange, electronic health record, case-management system, or closed-loop referral platform.
• Experience working in a local public health agency, hospital, rural health clinic, FQHC, behavioral health agency, EMS/community paramedicine program, school-based program, pharmacy, home visiting program, or community-based organization.
• Experience serving Medicaid members, maternal and child populations, individuals with chronic disease, behavioral health needs, substance use-related needs, or other high-need populations.
• Training or experience in motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, health coaching, benefits navigation, Mental Health First Aid, suicide prevention, or related community-based support approaches.
• Experience connecting individuals to transportation, food/nutrition assistance, preventive services, home safety resources, telehealth, or other community supports.
• Additional relevant frontline credentials or training, such as EMT, CNA, pharmacy technician, or behavioral health support training.
• Bilingual skills or demonstrated effectiveness working with diverse rural populations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to build trust and maintain appropriate professional boundaries with residents and families.
• Effective time management, organization, prioritization, and follow-through.
• Practical problem-solving skills and the ability to identify and use available community resources.
• Ability to work effectively with multiple organizations, disciplines, and service systems.
• Clear, respectful, and effective communication with individuals from varied backgrounds and circumstances.
• Ability to follow standardized workflows and documentation requirements while responding appropriately to individual needs.
• Persistence and initiative in completing referrals and resolving barriers.
• Ability to work independently in community-based settings and as part of the RCHD and Hub teams.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive information.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

This position is community-based and may involve work in the health department, healthcare facilities, partner organizations, community locations, and other approved settings. Regular travel within the assigned service area is required. The employee may occasionally work outside normal business hours for outreach, meetings, or community events. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Employment and Program Requirements

Employment is subject to Randolph County Health Department personnel policies and successful completion of required pre-employment or ongoing screenings. Because this position is supported through the Rural Health Transformation Program, duties, service areas, reporting requirements, and continued employment may be affected by grant requirements, funding availability, program guidance, or changes in the local Hub model.

Acknowledgment

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the employee assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. RCHD may modify duties and responsibilities based on departmental, community, program, or funding needs.

RCHD is EOE

Pay: From $24.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Do you have Community Health Worker training or certificate?
• Do you have education/training in community health, public health, social services, behavioral health, human services, or a related field?

Work Location: In person

Salary : $24